Coin depository



Dec. 30, 1930. H WALKER 1,786,466

com DEPOSI'I'ORY Filed Nov. 27 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet. l

Dec. 30, 1930.

H. WALKER COIN DEPOS ITORY Filed Nov. 27, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Huvculcr Dec; 30, 1930.

H. WALKER com DEPOSITORY Filed Nov. 27 1925 I5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

Patented Dec. 3Q, 1930 PATENT OFFER HARRY W'ALKEE, OF OIL CITY, LOUISIANA, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T

MILLS NOVELTY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLIHOIS, A GORPQRATI ON OF ILLINOIS COIN DEPOSITOIQY Application filed November This invention relates to an improved form of depository used in association with a checl or coin'controlled apparatus, and it has specific reference to a device of this kind frequently referred to in the art as a fraud preventive.

The improved device, which will be described in detail later on, is one wl ich is adapted for general use, but is particularly desirable for use in connection with coin actuated player pianos, sound reproducing niachiucs, and the like, 7

Briefly, the invention has reference to a structure of this kind which includes, among other details, a casing of ornamental CO11figll ration provided with direction incicia and with a plurality of individual coin slots for accommodating difierent denominations of coins. In addition, this casing is provided with coin receiving and conducting chutes, there being a separate chute for each slot, and the sizes of the chutes being governed by the sizes of the respective slots with which they cooperate. All of the chutes are disposed out of alignment with respect to the slots. Accordingly, an internal manually o ierated device is arranged in the casing and interposed between the slots and chutes and is constructed to receive the coins so that when it is properly operated, the coins may be shifted over into alignment with the chutes to gravitate into the latter, and to enter the introductory chute of a special coin controlled apparatus with which they are used.

My principal aim is to soconstruct and arrange the means on the interior of the casing to prevent fraud and to intercept insertion of improper coins, whereby to preclude persons from inserting illegitimate checks, slugs, or improper coins.

The various advantages and features derived from the particular construction and arrangei'nent employed will become clearly apparent after considering the description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In.theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of'this application, and in which like 27, 1925. Serial No. 71,815.

numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same: i

Figure l is a front elevation of a coin depository or entrance constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view looking at the right hand side.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the cover plate removed, looking at the exterior side of the plate.

Figure tis an inside view of the plate shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an elevation of the open rear side of the casing showing the internal mechanisms.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View of the upper portion of the casing with a portion of one of the details broken away to show the operation of parts more clearly.

Figure 7 is a view like F igure 6 showing the guard devices in one state of operation.

Figure 8 is likewise a view of similar construction showing the guard devices as they operate in association with a legitimate com.

Figure ,9 is a central vertical section through Figure 5.

Figure 10 is a view like Figures 6, 7 and 8, showing a further step in the operation of the guard devices.

Figure 11 is an end view of the manually operated plunger.

Figure 12 is a side viewof the plunger.

Figures 13, 14, 15, and 16 are cross sections taken approximately upon the plane of the line 1313; l t-14; 1515; 16l6 respectively, of Figure 12.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 1 designates generally the casing. This casing preferably comprises a'body portion indicated as a whole by the reference character 2', and a removable back or cover plate 3. The body is of the general configuration indicated in Figures 1 and 2to render it somewhat ornamental in front view. It is constructed at its bottom with a coin return t and at its central portion with an outstanding part 5, the upper inclined part of which is formed with slots 6, 7and- 8. The slot 6 is adapted to accommodate nickles, the slots '7 to accommodate dimes, and the slot 8 to accommo date quarters.

Vith respect to the removable hack slate, it is to be said that this may be held in place in any appropriate manner so that it may be removed from time to time to permit access to be had to the interior. Referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that the plate formed with an outwardly stamped portion 9 together with integral coin receiving and conducting chutes 10, 11, and 12, respectively. The outwardly pressed portion 9 aids in conducting improperly inserted coins, cheeks, and the like into the coin return Attention is directed to the fact that the chutes are not directly in back of the slots, but are disposed to one side of the slots. Moreover, these chutes have their entrance portions spaced a distance away fro "a the slots to prevent forcing of coins through the slots and directly into the chutes. In practice the chutes will be connected with continuations of appropriate constructions which will lead to intake chutes in an appropriate coin controlled apparatus (not shown). Referring to Figure 4: it will be seen that a strip of metal 13 bridges the central portion of the part 9 and is crimped or bent at longitudinally spaced points to form suitable guides to facilitate in the assortment of the coins. The bends in the strip being of a width to co-operate with the chutes, particularly when the plunger is shifted from left to right in Fig. 4.

Directing attention more particularly to Figure 5 at this time, it will be seen that in this view we see the internal mechanisms of the device very plainly as they appear through the open rear side of the body portion of the casing. Attention is first di rooted to the coin return 4, where it will be seen that a pair of upstanding guides 14 are associated therewith for facilitating direction of improper coins into the coin return. These are flared outwardly as shown. Attention is next directed to a cross bar 15 which bridges the open side of the body, and which is disposed in spaced relation to the coin receiving slots, and is located at the top elevation with respect to these slots. This bar has a dual function. Its first function is to serve as a rest for coins of proper sizes. Its next function is to serve as a gauge for thickness and diameter of coins. It is an exceptionally novel precautionary detail for a structure of this kind. This bar 15 may be of any appropriate width, and it is formed in its lower edge with longitudinally spaced notches 16 disposed. directly in alignment with the coin receiving and conducting chutes. The notches however are not in alignment with the coin inserting slots.

Closely associated with the gauge bar 15 is a manually operated plunger 17 shown in detail in Figures 11 and 12. This plunger is slidably mounted in the casing between the bar and outwardly projecting front portion 5. It is located somewhat below the bar at its rear end (see Figure 9) and extends above the plane of the bar at its front end. The plunger comprises a stem 18 (see Figures 11 and 12) having a finger piece 19 disposed on the exterior of the casing as shown for convenient operation. In addition, it is provided with three integral pockets 20, 21, and 22. These pockets are of predetermined sizes. The pocket 20 is the largest one of the set and is adapted to accommodate a quarter. The central pocket 21 is adapted to accommodate a dime, and the remaining pocket is adapted to accommodate a nickle. lVhile on Figure 12, it will be noted that one wall of the pocket 20 is provided with an outstanding flange 23 and the walls of the adjacent pockets are provided with integral webs 24. These webs together with the flange cover the slots to prevent insertion of additional coins when the plunger is in its operative position. The cross sections through the various pockets shown in Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 will indicate the particular shape of each pocket. At this time I would direct attention to the fact that the pocket 20 in Figure 13 has one wall notched out as indicated at 25. The opposed walls of the dime pockets 21 in Figure 14 are imperforate. The remaining pocket 22 has one wall provided with openings 26 and the other wall provided with a peculiarly shaped notch 27. Also, as shown in Figure 11 the left hand wall of the aforesaid quarter pocket 20 is formed with holes 28. These holes and notches serve a purpose to be hereinafter described. Cooperating with the plunger as shown in Figure 5 is a coiled spring 29, which serves to maintain the plunger in a normal position so that all the pockets are in alignment with the various slots. By pressing the finger piece however, the entire plunger including the pockets may be shoved over against the tension of the spring to align the pockets with the chutes, at which time the flange 23 and webs 24 cover the slots.

As before indicated, novel means is pro vided for-prohibiting the insertion of fake coins, slugs, checks and the like. The means referred to is shown in Figures 5 to 10 inclusive. It preferably comprises two separate and independent wire members 30 and 31. Each member is of general U-shaped form and comprises a single length of resilient wire bent between its ends and rigidly mounted on a pin 32. Considering the member 30 more specifically, it will be seen that this underlies the member 31, and that it comprises a pair of arms 33 and 34. These are connected together by a cross member 35 to secure rigidity of construction and simultaneous operation. These arms and 34 terminate in right angularly disposed extremities 36 forming guard fingers. The member 31 is composed of a pair of somewhat similar arms 37. These likewise terminate in angularly directed extremities 38. The extremities 36 cooperate with the central portions of the coin receiving pockets, while the extremities or fingers'38 cooperate with the outer peripheral portions of the pockets. To further distinguish these members, it may be said that the inner member 30 is adapted more particularly for intercepting checks and slugs formed with apertures or openings. Many of such devices are used by unscrupulous persons in attempting to operate ma is desired to insert a quarter, the same is placed through the slot 8 as indicated in Figure 1, at which time it drops into the pocket 20 in the plunger, but does not pass out of this pocket due to the fact that it comes to rest against the lower edge of the cross bar 15 (as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 9). This being the imperforate part of the bar, the quarter cannot pass through into the chute. However, by pressing the plunger over against the tension of the spring, the quarter if of proper thickness will pass through the adjacent notch 16. The notch will gauge the thickness of the quarter and the quarter will then drop into the proper chute, the notch being in alignment with the chute and the pocket being then pushed over into alignment with the notch and the chute. This same operation is true if a proper dime or nickle is inserted through the respective or appropriate slots 6 and 7. If a coin which is too small to be engaged by the lower edge of bar 15 is inserted into any one of these slots, it will simply roll on through, will not engage the bar 15, and will be guided by the guide 14 down into the coin return and may be recovered.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that the plunger 17 is in its normal position, and the pockets are arranged to receive the coin.

.he plunger, in Figure 6, has been pushed oven the coin slots are covered, and the pockets are in alignment with the chutes to per mit the coins to gravitate into the chutes. In Figure 6, no coins are actually shown in the pockets, and the guard fingers 36 and 38 are shown in the positions that they assume when-the plunger is so moved and there are no .coins in the pocket. Taking Figure 8,

however, it will be seen that a quarter'has been'inserted into the pocket 20, and the plunger with the quarter therein has been pushed over. As the quarter is supposed to be proper in this showing, it will be seen that it forces the units or members 30 and 31 over bodily. As soon as the quarter is dropped into the proper chute, however, and the plunger is released, the spring returns it to its normal position and the resilient members 30 and 31 automatically swing back in a direction from right to left to their normal positions. In Figure 7 however in the pocket 20 is supposed to be a metal disc with a hole near the center. If such a coin, which is improper, is inserted, it will be seen that the arm 33 of the member 30 will have its angular extremity projecting through the notch 25 (see Figure 13) in the side wall of the pocket. Thus this extremity will engage with the hole in the coin, and will prevent it from passing into the delivery chutes. It is apparent from this figure that the member 30 is adapted to frustrate the passage of coins having holes therein.

Assuming that one attempts to insert a coin whichis smaller than the one supposed to be inserted, it will. be seen that this is pre vented as indicated in Figure 10. Referring to this figure, it will be seen that the plunger 17 has been pushed over, and that an improper coin has been inserted into the nickle pocket 22. As the coin is smaller in diameter than a conventional nickle, it is prevented from going through by presence of the eX- tremity 38 of the arm 37 From the foregoing it is plain that if the coin is proper, it will fit into its'respective pocket in the plunger and that the plunger can be moved over to discharging position without hinderance from the members 30 and 31. Also, if the coin is of the proper diameter, it will rest against the imperforate lower edge of the cross bar 15, as is plain from Figure 5, and when the plunger has been moved far enough, it will pass through the properly cut notch. If, however, the coin is provided with a hole, and if a fake coin, it cannot go throughbecause the member 30 will prevent this, as described. Also, if the coin is 'not of the proper diameter, it will be prevented from going through by presence of the member 31. The spurious coins thus retained in the pockets of the plunger prevent further introduction of coins into the corresponding coin slots. If desired, means (not shown) may be provided for removing these obstructing coins without the need of removing the back or cover plate 3, after which additional coins may be introduced in the usual manner.

The various features and advantages derived from a structure of this kind Will be i duly appreciated by thoseskilled in the art to which the invention relates. Moreover, the operation and method of using the device has been made clear by the drawing and description. In view of this, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

Minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. A fraud preventive constructed to serve as a coin entrance for a coin controlled mechanism comprising a casing formed with a plurality of individual slots for reception of coins of diitlerent denominations, a plurality of coin receiving and con-ducting chutes constructed to accommodate the various coins and to receive the same when located in a predetermined position, said chutes being disposed out of alignment with said slots, a separate and independent bar in said casing interposed between the slots and the chutes, said bar serving as a coin stop and being formed with notches of predetermined sizes, said notches being aligned with said chutes a plunger slidab y mounted in the casing and provided with coin receiving pockets of predetermined sizes, an operating member for the plunger disposed on the interior of the casing, a spring cooperating with the plunger and serving to normally maintain said pockets in alignment with said slots and devices cooperating with said plunger to prevent slugs with apertures from passing into the delivery chutes.

2. A fraud preventive constructed to serve as a coin entrance for a coin controlled mechanism comprising acasing formed with a plurality of individual slots for reception of coins of different denominations, a plurality of coin receiving and conducting chutes constructed to accommodate the various coins and to receive the same when located in a predeterminedposition, said chutes being disposed out of alignment with said slots, at bar in said casing interposed between the slots and the chutes, said bar serving as a coin stop and being formed with notchesof predetermined sizes, said notches being aligned with said chutes, a plunger slidably mounted in the casing and provided with coin receiving pockets of predetermined sizes, an operating member for the plunger disposed 011 the exterior of the casing, and a spring cooperating with the plunger and serving to normally maintainsaid pockets in alignment with said slots, a coin return provided in the casing, and guards cooperable with said pockets to prevent perforated slugs from passing from the pocket into the chutes.

3. A fraud preventive constructed to form a coin entrance for a coin controlled mechanism comprising a casing provided with a plurality of individual coin slots for receiving coins of different denominations, coinreceiving and conducting chutes carried by the casing, a coin return carried by the casing, a coin. guide in association with said return, a notched ,bar in the casing, the notches be ing in alignment with the chutes, a manually operated slidably mounted plunger provided with pockets, spr'ng means for normally aligning the pockets with the slots, and a safety device including guards cooperable with said pockets when the latter are aligned with the chutes, to prevent perforated slugs from passing through the pockets and into the chutes.

4C. In a structure of the class described, a casing provided with coin slots and with coinreceiving and conducting chutes, a slidably mounted plunger in said casing provided with pockets normally alined with said slots and out of alincment with said chutes, and a substantially U-shaped resilient safety device ar ranged in said casing and embodying resilient fingers having angularly directed free end portions cooperable with said pockets under certain conditions to prevent perforated slugs from passing into said chutes.

In testimony whereof I afii my signature.

HARRY \VALKER. 

